Chatham teen defies the odds as family prepares for long-awaited homecoming

A miraculous turnaround for teen Ethan Hunter, who was given 6 weeks to live last year, now gets to come home. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell has details.

A Chatham family is preparing to welcome home their 17-year-old son after a grueling and groundbreaking battle with a rare and aggressive cancer.

Ethan Hunter is expected to return home in the coming days after spending the better part of two years in and out of hospitals in London and Toronto, where he became the first person in the world with T-cell lymphoma to respond to a new trial drug.

“It took longer than expected and the kid made history,” said his mother, Shara Hunter. “So, first person in the world on this trial drug that it worked for T cell. So setting the bar high for everybody, but saving tons more children is Ethan’s style.”

Ethan was diagnosed in 2022 with lymphoblastic lymphoma, a rare subtype of T-cell leukemia. He experienced a relapse that led to intensive treatment and isolation in hospital, where only his parents could visit and staff took extreme precautions due to his severely compromised immune system.

“His brother and sister haven’t seen him since Christmas, so that’s huge,” Shara said. “We couldn’t have visitors in Toronto. We were allowed two people like the parents and that’s it. We had to mask near him. We had to keep everything clean because his neutrophils and white blood cells were zero.”

After being transferred from Toronto to London a week ago, Ethan was moved to outpatient care—marking the first real sign of a return to normalcy in nearly two years.

“We have a long road to go, but he’s doing well,” said Shara. “He got transferred a week ago yesterday from Toronto to London. And then he spent a few days in the hospital. Now he’s outpatient, so we have very little time before coming home, as early as next week, maybe a couple weeks, but he’s coming home. So in preparation for that, we are getting this house ready.”

Part of that preparation includes a complete makeover of Ethan’s room to reduce allergens and bacteria that could pose a risk to his still-vulnerable immune system. Carpets have been pulled, new flooring put in and construction crews are installing baseboards and cleaning before the family’s long-awaited reunion.

“It’s a lot,” said Brett Traylor of BWT Renovations and Construction. “And, it’s very, it’s very close to my heart as I’m a Shriner as well. So, kids definitely have a soft spot.”

“Next we’ll be installing the baseboards, and then, just a nice little general clean and get the room back together,” he added.

Shara says the emotional weight of Ethan’s return is difficult to put into words.

“I wish you all knew the incredible child and the journey that we’ve been through. I don’t want you to experience it. Ethan has been a brave, brave boy. Now fighting, I believe, was my job. Ethan’s journey was just not to give up.”

“Everything that could go wrong went wrong. Toronto doctors were stunned. Toronto doctors said, ‘I don’t understand your child, and this is all I do.’ But that’s Ethan for you. And here we are.”

She describes him as “superhuman,” and says his recovery is already having a broader impact.

“He’s defied the odds many, many, many, many, many times in the last ten months. This shouldn’t have happened, but it did. Ethan is a superhuman. And we are going to celebrate that Ethan is saving many, many, many children after him going through the pain and suffering. So we’re going to celebrate that.”

The celebration, Shara says, will happen right in their front yard.

“We’re going to set up chairs here, and we’re gonna have a potluck and celebrate and talk and enjoy all the birthdays and Easter and Christmases that Ethan got to miss.”

She’s also planning a foundation in Ethan’s name to advocate for families facing similar medical journeys.

“When I reflect on all of it, I’m a new person and I’m going big. I’m not done. I’m not done. My goal is to make sure everybody in this country knows my son’s name. That’s my goal. I’m going to start a foundation to help. I’m not going to give too many details, but there’s a lot of gaps in this medical system and not medical per se. Avenues for families. There is a lot of help out there, but there is a lot that’s missing.”

Although Ethan missed out on school milestones like prom and graduation, his mother says what matters most is that he’s alive—and home.

“Graduation for school is not happening, but this is his graduation of life. So we’re going to celebrate that.”

And while the family is still adjusting to what life after hospital will look like, one thing is already clear for Shara.

“I am relieved. Relieved to have some kind of normalcy of home coming home,” she said. “Ethan rocked it. Ethan, nothing stops Ethan.”